This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 34/11/2750    most recent 01.STR.0000095791.85737.65v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Brozici, M. Articles by Hillen, B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Brozici, M. Articles by Hillen, B. Related Collections Brain Circulation and Metabolism Embolic stroke Pathology of Stroke

(Stroke. 2003;34:2750.)
© 2003 American Heart Association, Inc.

Progress Review

Anatomy and Functionality of Leptomeningeal Anastomoses

A Review

From the Departments of Functional Anatomy (M.B.) and Neurosurgery (A. van der Z.), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, and Department of Anatomy, University Medical Center Nijmegen, Nijmegen (B.H.), Netherlands.

Correspondence to Mariana Brozici, MD, Department of Functional Anatomy, University Medical Center Utrecht, H.P. Str 0.305, PO Box 85060, 3508 AB Utrecht, Netherlands. E-mail m.brozici{at}med.uu.nl

Background— This review seeks to provide a structured presentation of existing knowledge of leptomeningeal anastomoses from anatomic and functional points of view and to identify problems and possible research directions to foster a better understanding of the subject and of stroke mechanisms.

Summary of Review— Available data show that leptomeningeal anastomoses may be important in understanding stroke mechanisms and that leptomeningeal anastomoses play an important role in penumbra outcome. However, the literature shows no consensus between statements on the existence of leptomeningeal anastomoses and compensatory capacity.

Conclusions— By analyzing the available literature and identifying the factors that contribute to this confusion, we found that variability and the functional consequences thereof are important but that quantitative data are lacking. Moreover, vascular remodeling is an issue to consider.

Key Words: arterial occlusive diseases • collateral circulation • meningeal arteries

This article has been cited by other articles:

				F. Miteff, C. R. Levi, G. A. Bateman, N. Spratt, P. McElduff, and M. W. Parsons The independent predictive utility of computed tomography angiographic collateral status in acute ischaemic stroke Brain, June 9, 2009; (2009) awp155v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. M. Chng, E. T. Petersen, I. Zimine, Y.-Y. Sitoh, C.C. T. Lim, and X. Golay Territorial Arterial Spin Labeling in the Assessment of Collateral Circulation: Comparison With Digital Subtraction Angiography Stroke, December 1, 2008; 39(12): 3248 - 3254. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R.P.H. Bokkers, P.J. van Laar, K.C.C. van de Ven, L.J. Kapelle, C.J.M. Klijn, and J. Hendrikse Arterial Spin-Labeling MR Imaging Measurements of Timing Parameters in Patients with a Carotid Artery Occlusion AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., October 1, 2008; 29(9): 1698 - 1703. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Czabanka, P. Pena-Tapia, G. A. Schubert, J. Woitzik, P. Vajkoczy, and P. Schmiedek Characterization of Cortical Microvascularization in Adult Moyamoya Disease Stroke, June 1, 2008; 39(6): 1703 - 1709. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. G. Phan, MBBS, FRACP, A. C. Fong, G. Donnan, and D. C. Reutens Digital Map of Posterior Cerebral Artery Infarcts Associated With Posterior Cerebral Artery Trunk and Branch Occlusion Stroke, June 1, 2007; 38(6): 1805 - 1811. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. J. van Laar, J. Hendrikse, C. J. M. Klijn, L. J. Kappelle, M. J. P. van Osch, and J. van der Grond Symptomatic Carotid Artery Occlusion: Flow Territories of Major Brain-Feeding Arteries Radiology, February 1, 2007; 242(2): 526 - 534. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Nishimura, C. B. Schaffer, B. Friedman, P. D. Lyden, and D. Kleinfeld Penetrating arterioles are a bottleneck in the perfusion of neocortex PNAS, January 2, 2007; 104(1): 365 - 370. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. G. Phan, G. A. Donnan, P. M. Wright, and D. C. Reutens A Digital Map of Middle Cerebral Artery Infarcts Associated With Middle Cerebral Artery Trunk and Branch Occlusion Stroke, May 1, 2005; 36(5): 986 - 991. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]